GFCIs FOR COMMERCIAL AND

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Prevention through Design with Special-Purpose GFCIs

TECHNICAL PAPER
PREVENTION THROUGH
DESIGN WITH SPGFCIs

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 ELECTRICAL SHOCK OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 What Makes Electrical Shock So Dangerous...................................................................................................... 3
2.2 When and Why More than 50 Volts Can Be Lethal............................................................................................ 3
3.0 PREVENTION THROUGH DESIGN: GFCI ELECTRICAL SHOCK PREVENTION....................................................... 5
3.1 How GFCIs Work............................................................................................................................................... 6
4.0 SPECIAL-PURPOSE GFCIs...................................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 GFCI Classes and Their Applications.................................................................................................................. 6
4.1.1 Class A GFCIs (Non-Residential)............................................................................................................... 6
4.1.2 Class C, D, and E GFCIs (Special-Purpose GFCIs).................................................................................... .6
4.1.3 Proactive GFCIs Detect Ground Faults and Protect Against Fatal Shocks.................................................. 8
4.1.4 Where a 20-Milliampere Trip Level is Appropriate for Protection............................................................... 8
4.2 Not all Products Marketed as ‘GFCIs’ are Actually GFCIs.................................................................................. 8
4.3 Equipment Ground-Fault Protection Devices and Nuisance Tripping.................................................................. 8
4.4 How to Apply Industrial GFCIs........................................................................................................................... 9
4.5 Mitigation Methods Commonly Confused with Shock Protection Devices......................................................... 9
4.5.1 Ground-Fault Relays.................................................................................................................................. 9
4.5.2 High-Resistance Grounding Systems........................................................................................................ 9
5.0 INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS.......................................................................................... 9
5.1 Locations Where GFCIs are Required by NEC 210.8(B) (Nonresidential)............................................................ 9
5.2 Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants.............................................................................................................10
5.3 Ground Check One Two: GFCIs for the Entertainment Industry and Temporary Installations............................10
5.4 GFCIs Designed for the Entertainment Industry and Temporary Installations...................................................11
6.0 CASE STUDIES......................................................................................................................................................12
6.1 Special-Purpose GFCI with 480 V Ac and 600 V Ac in Outdoor Locations and Confined Spaces.......................12
6.2 Heavy-Industry Manufacturing.........................................................................................................................13
6.3 Mine Extends GFCI Protection to 480-Volt Portable Equipment.......................................................................13
6.4 Submersible Pump Applications.......................................................................................................................13
7.0 CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................................................13
8.0 REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................................................14
9.0 DEFINITIONS.........................................................................................................................................................14
10.0 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES..................................................................................................................................15
10.1 Shock Safety Education..................................................................................................................................15
10.2 Shock Block Resources..................................................................................................................................15
10.2.1 Shock Block GFCI and EGFPDs..............................................................................................................15
10.2.2 Shock Block Rental Series for the Entertainment Industry.....................................................................15

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Introduction
With power, comes great responsibility. Companies must
never take electrical shock lightly, or believe that safety
training and PPE are enough on their own. Hundreds of
workers are killed every year from electrical shock1. More
than 90 % of electrical fatalities among US workers are due
to electrical shock, and tens of thousands of electrical shock
incidents over the years have resulted in injuries that require
time away from work.
Ground-fault circuit protection is one of the most effective
preventative measures against electrical shock because it
actively reacts to irregular electrical conditions regardless of
a person’s qualifications or use of PPE. Where applicable,
they are an out-of-sight-out-of-mind practice that require
zero energy from the workers for it to guarantee their safety.
This paper will begin with a brief overview of the conditions
that make an electrical shock hazard potentially lethal
(which aims to help readers understand why lower voltages
do not constitute safer conditions). Then, it will provide a
discussion of how ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)
are used to keep workers safe from electrical shock.
Specifically, this paper will discuss:
„ How electrical shock affects the human body
„ How GFCIs work
„ Different GFCI classes and their respective
applications
Acronyms
AC alternating current
BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics
DC direct current
EGFPD equipment ground-fault protection device
GFCI ground-fault circuit interrupter
HRG high-resistance grounding
PPE personal protective equipment
SPGFCI special-purpose ground-fault circuit interrupter
symptoms. Electrical shocks can cause long-term injuries
with both neurological (such as loss of balance, poor
coordination, and neuropathy), psychological (fatigue,
irritability, and depression) and physical symptoms (such as
muscle spasms, reduced range of motion, muscle aches,
and joint stiffness) [1].
Potential long-term consequences of electrical injuries may
include neurological (e.g., neuropathy, seizures, syncope,
tinnitus, paresthesias, weakness, loss of balance, poor
coordination, or gait ataxia), psychological (e.g., memory or
attention difficulties, irritability, depression or post-traumatic
stress), ocular (e.g., cataracts) or physical (e.g., pain, fatigue,
contractures, muscle spasms, pruritus, headaches, fever or
night sweats, and reduced range of motion or stiffness in
the joints) disturbances.

„ How GFCI protection is different than equipment

ground fault protection
„ NEC GFCI requirements and applications where
GFCIs are not required by the NEC but are essential
due to the electrical shock hazards these
applications present
When and Why More than 50 Volts Can
Be Lethal
It is current, not voltage, that kills a person. Electrical
current can travel through the human body in several ways,
such as:
„ from hand to foot (touching a live conductor, for
example, while standing on a grounded surface);

„ from hand to hand; or

Electrical Shock Overview „ from foot to foot (the step potential, which is the
difference in voltage between each foot and the
What Makes Electrical Shock So electrode). A foot-to-foot path most commonly
occurs in incidents where the victim was standing
Dangerous
on a surface that became energized during a fault.
An electric shock is a sudden violent response to electrical
current flowing through any part of a person’s body. Even
minor shock injuries can result in life-altering and debilitating

1 Between 2003 and 2019, an annual average of 183 fatalities were attributed to electrical shock, according to BLS CFOI. Because many worker
fatality incidents that are initiated from electrical shock but ultimately are classified under a different cause of death, such as a worker who falls
from a ladder after being electrically shocked, the number of workers who die each year from electrical shock is most likely significantly higher
than the BLS data reflects.

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PREVENTION THROUGH
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Many factors affect the current’s ability to pass through the Unfortunately, this ability to let go (and thus break from the
body, and it only takes about 6 mA (for the average female) electrical current) will often make the difference between
and 9 mA (for the average male) to reach the “let-go life and death. Alternating current (ac) repetitively stimulates
threshold,” which when the current causes the muscles to nerves and muscles that cause sustained contraction onto
uncontrollably contract and renders the victim unable to let the muscles, which will continue as long as there is contact
go and break from the current on their own (see Figure 1). with the object. When a person’s muscles contract, their
grip tightens, which renders them powerless to disconnect
the electrical current from their body.
20,000

Once the current passes through the heart, ventricular

15,000
fibrillation—which causes the heart’s chambers to
Heart Paralysis,
10,000 Serious Tissue uselessly quiver instead of pump blood—is likely. Without
& Organ Burning
a heartbeat, the person will die within three minutes if they
4,000
do not receive an electrical countershock (a defibrillator) to
Fibrillation correct their heart rhythm [2].
50

The heart fibrillation threshold is the highest acceptable

Current in Milliamperes

40
level that the body can tolerate without causing significant
risk of death. Blood does not travel to the brain during
a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. Therefore, even if
30 Difficulty Breathing the person receives defibrillation treatment in time and
survives, but does not immediately receive CPR before the
defibrillator becomes available, then they will likely become
20 Respiration brain damaged with lifelong disabilities.
Class C, D, E
SPGFCI Trip
Level Most victims, however, do not survive. Due to factors that
9 Let-Go Threshold (Male Body) impede rapid access to emergency medical care, CPR and
6
Class A GFCI
Let-Go Threshold (Female Body) defibrillation, reported survival rates range from 3 % to
Trip Level 10 % [3].
1 Perception

FIGURE 1. The effects of different ac levels flowing through the

human body.

A B C1 C2 C3
10,000

5,000
AC-4.1
AC-4.1
Duration of current flow in ms

2,000

1,000

500
AC-1 AC-2 AC-3 AC-4
200

100

50

20

10
0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000

Current (mA)

FIGURE 2. The effects of different ac levels flowing through the human body, according to IEC 60364-4-41.

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PREVENTION THROUGH
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Most DE-ENERGIZE
Effective EQUIPMENT
GFCIs
SAFETY TRAINING
Least GLOVES, RUBBER MATS AND
RUBBER TOOLS
Effective
FIGURE 3. The Hierarchy of Controls.
The longer the current lasts, the greater the injury. A person
who has passed the let-go threshold is physically incapable
of breaking from the current on their own. At this point, the
current will not stop traveling through their body until it is
interrupted by a GFCI or similar device.
GFCIs limit the human body’s exposure to shock by
interrupting the circuit before the magnitude of current and
its duration poses the risk of ventricular fibrillation. The area
shown as AC-2 (see Figure 2), indicates where the threat
of ventricular fibrillation is unlikely. GFCIs operate according
to a curve that is faster, and more sensitive than the lagging
edge of AC-2. If there is a 50-milliampere fault, then the
GFCI will trip in 100 ms or less, keeping the person safe
from heart fibrillation.
While duration is one of the most significant factors that
determines the severity of an injury, it is not the only one.
The amount of moisture in the body (resistance) is also an
important contributor. Tissue density (ratio of fat to muscle),
body mass, the presence of moisture in the environment,
the victim’s sex, and the type of current are all variables
which can affect the severity of the shock injury.
For more information about the contributing factors of
severe electrical shock incidents and their prevalence
among U.S. workers, read the Littelfuse electrical shock
survey report.
© 2022 Littelfuse, Inc.
Elimination
Substitution
Engineering
Controls
Administrative
Controls
PPE
Prevention through Design: GFCI
Electrical Shock Prevention
Prevention through Design is the best way to protect
workers from serious injuries and death. While human-
based safety measures (PPE and safety training) are
important components of occupational safety, these
methods are prone to error and are unreliable on their own,
which is why NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the
Workplace, stresses that they must never be used as the
sole safety method unless the company has no other choice
(see Figure 3).
Most industrial sites require employees to wear PPE.
However, standard-issue PPE (such as general-purpose
gloves, which often provide heat protection) does not
protect from electric shock and electrical workers might be
lax in properly wearing electrical PPE. Additionally, workers
often complain electrical gloves make it difficult to get the
job done because they are cumbersome or bulky. This often
causes many workers to perform work without wearing
their PPE when required.
PPE (such as rubber-insulating gloves) are considered the
least effective safety method under NFPA 70E hierarchy of
controls due to the high level of human error that must be
overcome for them to effectively work. While absolutely
important, electrical gloves are the last line of defense.
Electrical gloves must maintain their dielectric properties,
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physical strength, flexibility and durability for them to remain
effective. Whether the worker ultimately wears them is a
different story.
To learn more about why PPE and safety training are
dangerous mitigation methods to rely upon, read The State
of Electrical Shock Safety survey report.
How GFCIs Work
GFCIs eliminate shock hazards by cutting off power when
even the slightest amount of current flows where it should
not. If a person touches a live GFCI-protected conductor,
the GFCI will open the circuit before the shock incident
becomes lethal.
A single-phase GFCI contains a zero-sequence current
transformer in which the hot and neutral lines pass through.
Its sense winding feeds a triggering circuit that is connected
to an interrupting device.
If there is no leakage to ground (through either bad
insulation, a person, or both), then the currents in the hot
and neutral lines will be equal and cancel each other out
in the current transformer. However, if there is leakage (if
some of the current that is going out on the hot conductor
does not return through the neutral), then the two currents
will no longer sum to zero and the sense circuit will trip the
contactor to shut off the power.
Special-Purpose GFCIs
GFCI Classes and Their Applications
UL divides GFCIs into Classes A, C, D and E2. A GFCI’s trip
threshold is determined by its class.
Class A GFCIs (Non-Residential)
Class A GFCIs, which are commonly used in residential and
commercial settings, have a 6-milliampere trip level and are
used in single- and three-phase systems with 150 V
to ground (usually 120 V or 240 V for single-phase systems,
and 208 V for three-phase systems). This includes both
standard household GFCIs and commercial GFCIs
that are used in restaurants, garages and other
non-residential applications.
2 There are also Class B GFCIs, but they are rare—if not obsolete—because they are only for use in pool light fixtures installed before 1965.
© 2022 Littelfuse, Inc.
Class A GFCIs are governed by UL 943, which applies to
Class A, single- and three-phase GFCIs in accordance with
the NEC, the Canadian Electrical Code (CE Code), and
ANSI/NFPA 70. Class A GFCIs provide let-go protection and
do not require equipment ground conductor monitoring.
Class C, D, and E GFCIs (Special-Purpose GFCIs)
Class C, D, and E GFCIs are considered special-purpose
GFCIs. Special-purpose GFCIs are used in industrial
systems, typically those that have voltages of 480 or 600 V
line-to-line potential.
Special-purpose GFCIs trip when the leakage current
exceeds 20 mA, or when the equipment ground conductor
for that circuit is compromised.
Ground monitoring is not required for the supply-side of
permanently connected special-purpose GFCIs or when the
load employs a system of double insulation.
Until 2009, GFCI protection was limited to single-phase
ac circuits up to 240 V (150 V line-to-ground). However,
because the hazards that GFCIs protect against extend
beyond these applications, UL published UL 943C, which
established three new classes of special-purpose GFCIs for
systems up to 600 V.
Special-purpose GFCIs trip at 20 mA instead of Class A’s
residential trip-level of 6 mA. This higher trip level provides
a greater flexibility for an industrial application, while still
tripping fast enough to protect workers from a ventricular
fibrillation event.
For instance, a 20-milliampere ground fault would require
a special-purpose GFCI to trip in one second or less to
stay below the ventricular fibrillation threshold. Likewise,
a 200-milliampere ground fault would require the special-
purpose GFCI to operate in 37 ms or less for the same
reason. This can be seen in the AC-3 zone in Figure 2. This
higher trip level provides a greater flexibility for an industrial
application, while still tripping fast enough to protect
workers and meet UL 943 requirements.
Classes C, D, and E are governed by UL 943C, Special
Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters. UL 943C
addresses two limitations of Class A GFCIs that prohibit
their use in many industrial applications: the system voltage
limitation to a maximum of 240 V and a maximum allowed
leakage current of 6 mA.
Class C devices are rated for phase-to-ground voltages of
300 V and less (480-volt three-phase applications), while
Class D and E cover applications greater than 300 V line-to-
ground (600-volt three-phase applications).
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All special-purpose GFCIs must have a minimum trip rating

of 15 to 20 mA, but Class C devices are permitted to have a
trip threshold as low as 6 mA. In addition, UL 943C requires
the GFCI to monitor the continuity of the ground wire and
interrupt power to the load if ground integrity is lost.

„ Class C GFCIs: for use in circuits with no conductor

over 300 V to ground where reliable equipment
grounding or double insulation is provided. Class C
GFCIs interrupt the circuit when the ground-fault
current is between 15 mA and 20 mA. They have
trip thresholds between 6 mA and 20 mA, which
provides limited let-go protection.

„ Class D GFCIs: for use in circuits with one or more

conductors over 300 V to ground, and with specially
sized reliable grounding to provide a low impedance
path so that the voltage across the body during a
fault does not exceed 150 V. Class D GFCIs interrupt
the circuit when the ground-fault current is between
15 mA and 20 mA.

„ Class E GFCIs: for use in circuits with one or

more conductors over 300 V to ground but with
conventional equipment grounding provided for
the protected equipment in the system or double
insulation. Class E GFCIs interrupt the circuit when
the ground-fault current is between 15 mA and
20 mA and require high speed tripping for fault
currents 300 mA and above.
FIGURE 4. A cart-mounted GFCI provides portable shock protection.
All special-purpose GFCIs are required to monitor the
ground conductor unless the load employs a system of The Shock Block SB6100 has built-in overcurrent protection
double insulation. Ground conductor monitoring is always that is provided by Class T fuses. The load can be single-
required for Class D devices since they are not subject to phase (line-to-line) or three-phase (without a neutral). The
the double insulation exemption. Shock Block SB6100 can be used on either solidly-grounded
or high-resistance grounded power systems, and used as a
Ground check is required for anyone using a Class C GFCI
GFCI (with a fixed 20-milliampere trip level) or as an EGFPD
with a conventional ground conductor (as per NEC 250.110
(it can be adjusted as low as 6 mA, or from 10 mA to 100
and 250.114), and though highly recommended—is optional
mA in increments of 10).
for Class A GFCIs. The Shock Block has a ground check
feature integrated into the unit for both the Class A and C The Shock Block SB6100 can be used with two different
models, so anyone using the Shock Block has the feature types of installations: a UL recognized open-chassis model
available, regardless of whether ground check is required for installation in existing electrical enclosures, and a UL
or not. Listed enclosed model in a NEMA-4X enclosure for
stand-alone installations.
Special-purpose GFCIs, such as the Littelfuse Shock Block
series, are specifically designed to protect people from Littelfuse has a Shock Block cart, which is discussed in
electrical shock in industrial and commercial applications greater detail on page 11 of this document, that enables
due to their higher trip levels. The Shock Block SB6100 is portable GFCI protection in temporary installations
currently one of the few GFCIs that meets UL 943C and (see Figure 4).
rated for use on various system voltages (up to 600 V line-
to-line) and loads up to 100 A.

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Proactive GFCIs Detect Ground Faults and Protect

Against Fatal Shocks with One Device
Ground check tremendously increases safety. Ground check Not all Products Marketed as
monitors the continuity of the grounding circuit, causing the ‘GFCIs’ are Actually GFCIs
power conductors to be de-energized if ground continuity
is lost. Most people associate the acronym
“GFCI” with a device that is designed to
Ground conductor monitoring enhances the standard
keep people safe from electrical shock.
protection of a GFCI by taking proactive measures. A ground
However, use of the acronym GFCI is not
check feature provides this by not allowing energization to a
load with improper grounding, and de-energizing any circuit regulated, so anyone can call anything a
where the grounding becomes compromised under load. By “GFCI” regardless of whether the device
decreasing these hazardous situations, the probability of a meets the applicable GFCI standards for
person becoming part of the ground conductor circuit shock protection.
is far less likely.
Some of the devices sold as “GFCIs” did
A GFCI that can detect ground faults is not only incredibly not pass the necessary tests for providing
beneficial due to the time it saves in replacing the burden of electrical shock protection. Despite
an assured grounding program, but in its ability to provide failing these tests, some of these products
shock protection as well. reference the applicable GFCI standards
Where a 20-milliampere Trip Level is Appropriate for in their marketing materials, implying
Protection that the device meets or exceeds the
requirements even though it does not.
The trip curve published by UL for GFCIs was developed to
interrupt faster than the time it would take any magnitude For industrial personnel protection,
of current to initiate ventricular fibrillation in the human
look for the UL or CSA approval on the
heart. The time it takes for the GFCI to operate depends on
product nameplate or manufacturer's
the amount of leakage current: the higher the current, the
documentation.
faster the GFCI trip time. Figure 2 shows the inverse-time
response curve, which is set by UL 943 and defined by the
equation:

1.43 However, ventricular fibrillation is very unlikely to occur

⎛ 20 ⎞
T= ⎝ ⎯⎠ below 20-milliampere currents. The human adult can
I
survive extended shock incidents without sustaining severe
injury so long as the contact does not exceed 2 seconds
where T is in seconds and I is in mA. For currents greater (see Figure 2). Class A GFCIs must safeguard against these
than 300 mA, the delay is fixed to 20 ms. lower currents to protect small children.
A GFCI that is capable of an inverse
FOR INDUSTRIAL time decision process provides a lot Equipment Ground-Fault Protection
PERSONNEL of value for industrial applications as
PROTECTION, Devices and Nuisance Tripping
unwanted trips will be avoided.
LOOK FOR THE For some applications, 20 mA can be too sensitive
UL 943C LISTED Many people associate 6 mA as (particularly if there are variable frequency drives present).
MARK OR THE the set GFCI trip level due to the Littelfuse equipment ground-fault protection devices
CSA C22.2 prevalence of Class A GFCIs. The (EGFPDs) are similar to special-purpose GFCIs and operate
NO. 144-M91 6-milliampere trip level roots back to on the same inverse time curve as other GFCIs listed to
GROUND-
when UL set the trip level for Class UL 943 and UL 943C. Whereas GFCIs protect people,
FAULT CIRCUIT
A GFCIs below the let-go threshold, EGFPDs are designed to protect equipment. EGFPDs are
INTERRUPTERS,
which was then adopted within North oftentimes the best option when the normal ground leakage
CLASS 1451-01
America. exceeds the industrial GFCI’s 20-milliampere trip level.
MARK.

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PREVENTION THROUGH
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A good EGFPD will have an adjustable sensitivity, which
is usually between 6 mA and 100 mA. This enables the
sensitivity to be adjusted to the lowest sensitivity level
that is above the base leakage current. Doing so creates
the safest possible conditions for workers in environments
where worker protection at 20 mA is not possible. Littelfuse
EGFPDs can also monitor the ground conductor, which—
though not required by UL 943C—provides an additional
layer of protection.
EGFPDs are not covered by UL 943C (nor UL Listed as
GFCIs) because the standard does not allow adjustable
trip levels for GFCIs. Therefore, EGFPDs are considered
for equipment protection only. Littelfuse EGFPDs will still
provide protection against ventricular fibrillation (and other
severe shock injuries) for any leakage currents greater than
the user-selected setting.
How to Apply Industrial GFCIs
Industrial GFCIs can be used on equipment subject to
wash-down cleaning, process equipment that handles
wet material, such as large pumps, mixers, wet saws;
equipment that comes into frequent contact with workers,
such as arc-welding stations; and portable electric
equipment used outdoors, where long power cords and less
robust temporary connections may be exposed to rain and
moisture.
Industrial GFCIs may be integrated by the original
equipment manufacturer or the panel builder, or they may
be installed in an electrical cabinet such as a motor control
center. They are also available with their own enclosures, for
mounting to the side of a machine or a wall.
The wiring is simple: attach source power on one side and
the load circuit on the other side. In addition, there may be
signal wiring for optional alarm communication.
Some models are equipped with built-in overcurrent
protection (usually a fuse), which allows for a high
interrupting rating (50 kA in some cases). This protects
the internal contactor from damage and does not require
the user to install a current limiting device upstream of the
industrial GFCI. Some models also offer undervoltage and
chatter detection.
Mitigation Methods Commonly Confused
with Shock Protection Devices
Ground-Fault Relays
Ground-fault relays are not to be confused with GFCIs.
Whereas ground fault relays protect equipment, GFCIs
protect human life. Furthermore, ground-fault relays are
not specifically designed to provide complete protection
© 2022 Littelfuse, Inc.
against electrical shock. Ground-fault relays do not open
the affected circuit themselves. Instead, they send a signal
upstream to a breaker.
While the ground-fault relay reacts from 8 to 10 ms,
the upstream circuit breaker may take 30 to 50 ms to
open—which is enough time for an electrical shock to
stop a human heart. A GFCI or an EGFPD contains its own
interrupting device (a relay, contactor, or circuit breaker) to
interrupt power, and it interrupts power much more quickly.
Per UL 943C, a GFCI must open the circuit to interrupt
power in less than 20 ms for higher currents. This time is
fast enough to prevent shock injury.
High-Resistance Grounding Systems
High-resistance grounding (HRG) systems do not reduce
electrical shock hazards. In HRG systems, which are
no more than 10 A, the neutral point of the three-phase
electrical supply is not directly connected to ground, but
instead through a high-value resistor. When one of the
phase conductors shorts to ground, the system continues to
operate with the fault current limited to a low value by the
grounding resistor.
Although HRG systems can dramatically reduce the risk of
an arc flash and maintain an electrical system’s operations
in the event of a ground fault, they do nothing for shock
hazards. The system’s grounding resistor will still permit
the flow of more than enough current to kill a person, so
touching a live conductor can still be fatal.
Industry-Specific Challenges and
Solutions
Locations Where GFCIs are Required by
NEC 210.8(B) (Nonresidential)
GFCI requirements for nonresidential applications are
outlined in NEC 210.8(B):
All 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles supplied by
single-phase branch circuits rated 150 V or less to
ground, 50 A or less, and all receptacles supplied by
three-phase branch circuits rated 150 V or less to ground,
100 A or less, installed in the locations specified in
210.8(B)(1) through (B)(12) shall have ground-fault circuit-
interrupter protection for personnel.
This update applies to most receptacles in the locations
listed below, which includes receptacles on 240-volt circuits
and three-phase receptacles on 208Y/120-volt three-phase
circuits.
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The non-residential locations that NEC 210.8(B) requires
GFCI protection include:
„ Bathrooms
„ Kitchens or areas with a sink and permanent
provisions for either food preparation or cooking
„ Rooftops
„ Outdoors
„ Sinks—where receptacles are installed within
1.8 m (6 ft) from the top inside edge of the bowl of
the sink
„ Indoor damp and wet locations
„ Locker rooms with associated showering facilities
„ Garages, accessory buildings, service bays, and
similar areas other than vehicle exhibition halls and
showrooms
„ Crawl spaces at or below grade level
„ Unfinished areas of basements
„ Laundry areas
„ Bathtubs and shower stalls—where receptacles are
installed within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the outside edge of
the bathtub or shower stall
It is important to note that any equipment connected to
receptacles that have higher voltages and current ratings
present the same shock hazards as those with lower
voltage and current ratings.
Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants
GFCIs are required in all single-phase and three-phase
receptacles in commercial kitchens and food preparation
areas that have a sink, regardless of whether the receptacle
serves a countertop area. According to NEC, electrical
incident data finds that there are many electrical hazards in
non-dwelling kitchens, including poorly maintained electrical
equipment, damaged cords, and wet floors. The installation
of GFCIs in these locations protects personnel who might
be exposed to electrical shock.
The requirements under NEC 210.8(B)(2) apply to all
kitchens (or areas with a sink and permanent provisions for
food preparation or cooking) found in restaurants, hotels,
schools, churches, dining halls, and similar facilities.
© 2022 Littelfuse, Inc. 10
In 2017, the NEC began to RESIDUAL-CURRENT
require GFCI protection for
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
circuits up to 100 A. For
commercial kitchens, this
AND GROUND-
posed a challenge because FAULT RELAYS ARE
large appliances, such as a NOT APPROVED TO
60-ampere 208-volt fryer, PROTECT PEOPLE
require GFCIs that are rated FROM ELECTRICAL
for at least 60 A. Traditional
SHOCK, AND THUS
GFCIs, however, were
unavailable in this range.
MUST NEVER BE USED
IN LIEU OF A GFCI.
According to the NEC, a GFCI
is required for cord-connected
equipment. While hard-wiring equipment means the
equipment is not required to be connected to a GFCI, doing
so makes it difficult to meet health and sanitation codes.
Doing so requires the large appliance to be hard-wired to
the wall, which makes it difficult to clean the surrounding
area. When these appliances are not portable, workers
usually cannot efficiently (if at all) access those areas which
are required to be kept clean per health and sanitation
codes.
It is important for designers and companies to understand
that residual-current devices and ground-fault relays are
not the same as GFCIs. In North American codes and
standards the term GFCI is synonymous with personnel
level protection from electric shock, and since those other
devices are not listed to UL943 or UL943C (the standards
for GFCIs and SPGFCIs), they should only be considered for
equipment level protection.
The Littelfuse Shock Block SB6100-02X-3 is a Class-A GFCI
that can handle up to 100-ampere circuits, and the SB5060-
021-0 Class-A GFCI is for circuits up to 60 A (see Figure 5).
This GFCI enables kitchens to meet NEC’s requirement
while also meeting health and sanitation codes with ease.
Ground Check One Two: GFCIs for the
Entertainment Industry and Temporary
Installations
The primary reason the entertainment industry traditionally
struggles to protect its workers from electrical shock is
not only due to worn cable insulation, which can cause
ground faults, and wet conditions frequently found on site,
but because its installations are usually temporary. Wet
conditions are a recipe for electrical shock incidents, and
temporary installations historically made the installation of
GFCI protection difficult due to many factors such as:
Littelfuse.com
ELECTRICAL SAFETY BY
DESIGN WITHTHROUGH
PREVENTION SPGFCI
DESIGN WITH SPGFCIs
Industry-Specific Challenges and Solutions

To electrical
panel
SB5000
Class A
GFCI

2 5

FIGURE RESTAURANT. XXXXXXX

1 Drop-Down Receptacles for Prep 2 Meat Grinder 3 Electric Oven/Pizza Oven 4 Dishwasher 5 Electric Range 6 Deep Fryer

FIGURE
FIGURERESTAURANT
5. The SB5000, a Class A GFCI, allows restaurants to meet new NEC requirements without making it difficult to also
meet health and sanitation codes.

„ A lack of proper ground conductors
„ Improperly protected conductors (i.e., lack of
conduit)
„ Worn conductors on portable and mobile equipment
GFCIs Designed for the Entertainment
Industry and Temporary Installations
There are three different types of rental shock blocks that
are designed to provide protection in temporary installations:

„ Multiple trades on site using various equipment and

1. Shock Block Lunchbox LB100 (people protection)
trying to get their task done as quickly as possible
2. Shock Block SB100B (people and equipment
„ Complex switching of circuits to support a load
protection)

3. Shock Block SB3000 (equipment protection)

© 2021 Littelfuse, Inc. 2 Littelfuse.com

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 PREVENTION THROUGH
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The rental Class A Littelfuse Shock Block is a GFCI

designed to protect workers in the entertainment industry,
who often encounter wet conditions and cables with worn
insulation.
The entertainment industry and Hollywood sets often use
portable GFCIs (such as the Shock Block GFCI) that have
these specific features critical for onset usage such as:
„ A rugged outer cage
„ Connectors that fit pre-existing equipment (like
Bates connectors) for Hollywood on-set equipment
„ Compatibility with three-phase 4-wire systems
„ Meets UL requirements for portable applications
and ANSI E1.19 - 2015 - Recommended Practice for
the Use of Class A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters
(GFCIs) Intended for Personnel Protection in the
Entertainment Industry
These GFCIs provide ground-
Case Studies
Special-Purpose GFCI with 480 V Ac
and 600 V Ac in Outdoor Locations and
Confined Spaces
A major Canadian power company that generates about
half of Ontario’s electric power, wanted electrical shock
protection for their personnel working in outdoor locations,
wet environments, and confined spaces.
The company’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
department mandates that all its portable equipment (such
as arc welders, pumps, and concrete saws) is connected
to a GFCI, which is typically connected with extension
cords. Aside from posing a trip and fall hazard to workers,
extension cords can quickly deteriorate, which is a serious
electrical shock and fire hazard.
The company uses portable equipment that operates at
480 volts ac and 600 volts ac, which requires Class C and

“ A third-party
engineering firm
independently
evaluated the
performance of three
special-purpose
GFCIs. The Littelfuse
Shock Block SB6100
performed well and
was the only product
that met all our test
fault protection for equipment
that is subject to wet
conditions, moisture, and worn
cable insulation.
The SB3000 monitors leakage
current to eliminate potential
electrical hazards caused by
wet equipment.
Because the SB3000 does not
provide GFCI shock protection,
D special-purpose GFCIs, respectively. The engineers,
however, did not have a GFCI appropriate for these
environments that was specified and approved for use with
both of these voltages.
The company wanted to make the safest conditions for their
workers, and contacted Littelfuse to help them achieve this
within the specific conditions of their system.
To determine the appropriate special-purpose GFCI that
would comply with the UL 943C, their environmental health
and safety department hired an independent consultant

”
criteria. it should be used in conjunction to identify a suitable product. The consultant selected
with either the SB100B, products from three manufacturers for evaluation. One of

SB250B or the LB100 Shock the products selected for testing was the Littelfuse Shock
EHS ENGINEERING MANAGER
Blocks. Block SB6100 special-purpose GFCI, Class C and Class D.
The evaluation consisted of three tests:
The SB3000 is used on the
main higher amperage connection to the generator. The 1. Trip level at a sustained current level
SB100 or SB250B are used on the branch circuits that go to
2. Inverse time trip characteristic for high currents
individual loads, which is where the GFCI protection will be.
3. Cable imbalance test for a nuisance tripping
The Lunchbox has hospital-grade duplex receptacles with
condition
recessed circuit breakers and indicator lights to provide
GFCI protection for single-phase 120 volt equipment. The inverse time curve is important as it requires the GFCI
device to trip quickly on high fault currents but allows a
longer time to trip on low level currents creating a safe
system with reduced nuisance trips.

The Littelfuse Shock Block SB6100 was the only device that
passed all three tests. According to the consultant’s tests,
the Littelfuse Shock Block SB6100 was the only one of the
three manufacturers’ devices that they found to be capable

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PREVENTION THROUGH
DESIGN WITH SPGFCIs
of working in their system while still providing true GFCI
personnel protection trip levels. Additionally, the Shock
Block SB61000 was the only one of the three devices that
was actually UL Listed and therefore the only device that
could be considered a true GFCI.
The company says they are planning to replace all of their
600 volt GFCIs made by other manufacturers with the
Littelfuse Shock Block SB6100 Class D GFCI. The EHS
department is planning to install SB6100 systems in all of
the company’s facilities throughout Ontario, Canada.
Heavy-Industry Manufacturing
A brick manufacturing plant in the western United States
processes clay into bricks and other building materials for
residential and commercial projects. The process involves
wet saws that operate at 480 volts.
In this type of application, there will always be some
amount of leakage current. Therefore, the company installed
the Shock Block SB6100 EGFPD, which allowed them to
adjust the trip level to be above the nominal leakage current.
Since the Littelfuse EGFPDs follow the UL 943 trip curve,
personnel level protection was still provided for any leakage
currents higher than the customer's selected trip threshold.
The plant set the adjustable trip on their SB6100 to
30-milliampere which enabled it to operate at the lowest
leakage current that would not cause unnecessary tripping.
In applications like this one, companies sometimes consider
the use of a standard ground-fault relay in combination
with an interrupting device. However, these field-installed
combinations are rarely–if ever–proven to work when tested
together under the UL 943 protection limits.
Since they installed the SB6100, the company has not
experienced any shock incidents.
Mine Extends GFCI Protection to 480-Volt
Portable Equipment
A coal mine in the southern United States operates a
machine repair shop, where workers use portable 480-volt
stud-gun welders. The maintenance manager installed the
Littelfuse Shock Block SB6100 GFCI so that they could
improve worker safety while keeping their process running.
However, they needed the GFCI to be moved around so that
it could be used with various receptacle locations around
the shop or in the field when needed. To accommodate
this requirement, the shop manager used the two-wheeled
Shock Block cart with the Shock Block SB6100 GFCI.
They then added a six-foot power cord that terminates
© 2022 Littelfuse, Inc.
in a standard plug (see Figure 4). On the load side, they
added 200 feet of electrical cable connected to the portable
welder. The cables included a ground wire and pilot wire
used for ground continuity verification.
The maintenance manager’s workers said it was
lightweight, and easy to use and test. Moreover, the
maintenance manager is happy knowing that their workers
are protected.
Submersible Pump Applications
A large municipal water utility company needed to protect
their workers who clean water tanks from electrical shock
while the submersible pumps are in operation. Because
many dewatering applications are temporary, this was
difficult to do without a GFCI that was capable of being
moved from one installation to the next.
The utility company used the Littelfuse GFCI cart with the
SB61000 Shock Block EGFPD, which enabled their workers
to safely work in temporary installations without putting
their lives at risk.
Conclusion
GFCIs are an integral component to electrical safety.
Technological advancements have enabled their protection
to be expanded into areas beyond a 120-volt level. Electrical
systems should always be designed with safety in mind,
and use engineering controls (such as GFCIs) whenever
possible, regardless of whether the Code requires them in
that given application or not.
Technological advancements have also enabled GFCIs to be
easily implemented in applications where they traditionally
might have caused unwanted tripping. To learn about how
GFCIs or special-purpose GFCIs can protect the personnel
in your specific application, contact one of our Littelfuse
experts.
13 Littelfuse.com
PREVENTION THROUGH
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References Grounded, Solidly: Connected to ground without inserting

any resistor or impedance device.
[1] M. S. Morse, “A report on the current state and
Ground Fault: Unintentional contact between a phase
understanding of human response to electrical contacts,”
conductor and ground or equipment frame. The words
presented at the IEEE Industry Applications Society
“ground” and “earth” are used interchangeably when it
Electrical Safety Workshop, Dallas, TX, USA, Mar. 11–15,
comes to electrical applications.
2013, Paper ESW2013-05.
Ground-Fault Current Path: An electrically conductive
[2] M.D. Khan, “Ventricular fibrillation (VF) triggered by
path from the point of a ground fault on a wiring system
PVCs: PVCs can trigger VF in the setting of idiopathic
through normally non–current-carrying conductors,
VF or after acute myocardial infarction,” Encyclopedia
equipment, or the earth to the electrical supply source.
of Heart Diseases, 2006. [Online]. Available: https://
www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI): A device
ventricular-fibrillation. intended for the protection of personnel that functions to
de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established
[3] M. Holmberg, S. Holmberg, and J. Herlitz, “Incidence,
period of time when a current to ground exceeds the values
duration and survival of ventricular fibrillation in out-of-
established for a Class A device.
hospital cardiac arrest patients in Sweden,” European Heart
Journal. Aug. 17, 2004, doi: 10.1016/S0300-9572(99)00155- Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment: A system
0 [Online]. Available: https://www.resuscitationjournal.com/ intended to provide protection of equipment from damaging
article/S0300-9572(99)00155-0. line-to ground fault currents by causing a disconnecting
means to open all ungrounded conductors of the faulted
[4] T. Gammon and S. Jamil, “The Disconnect Between
circuit. This protection is provided at current levels less than
Electrical Safety and Accident Prevention,” IEEE Industry
those required to protect conductors from damage through
Applications Magazine, to be published.
the operation of a supply circuit overcurrent device.
[5] Industrial Accident Prevention Association and Ontario
Indirect Contact: When a person comes into contact with
Women’s Directorate, “Personal Protective Equipment
any part of an electric circuit that is not normally live, but
for Women – Addressing the Need,” The Center for
has accidentally become live.
Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, MD,
USA, Accessed on: Mar. 16, 2020. [Online]. Available: Ungrounded: Not connected to ground or to a conductive
https://elcosh.org/record/document/1198/d001110.pdf. body that extends the ground connection.

Voltage: The greatest root-mean-square (rms) difference

of potential between any two conductors of the circuit

Definitions concerned.

Ampacity: The maximum current, in amperes, that a

conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of
use without exceeding its temperature rating.

Direct Contact: Occurs when a person comes into contact

with a part that is live under normal circumstances.

Energized: Electrically connected to, or is, a source of

voltage.

Fault Current: The current that flows when a phase

conductor is faulted to another phase or ground.

Ground: The earth.

Grounded (Grounding): Connected (connecting) to ground

or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection.

© 2022 Littelfuse, Inc. 14 Littelfuse.com

PREVENTION THROUGH
DESIGN WITH SPGFCIs

Additional Resources

Shock Safety Education For technical support,

sales inquiries,
Shock: Electrical's Deadliest Act survey report or to simply
Misconceptions about Shock Safety webcast talk shop about shock,
Safety by Design webcast
contact one of our
Electrical Shock: Deadly and Prevalent survey report
experts directly.
Electrical Shock Prevention Needs a Jolt of Change webcast

Industrial Safety resource center

Shock Block Resources Technical Support

Shock Block GFCI and EGFPDs (800) 832-3873 (U.S. and Canada only)
relays@littelfuse.com
Shock Block SB6100 product information
Shock Block SB6100 case studies
Product Purchasing and Support
Shock Block SB6100 manual
Shock Block SB6100 datasheet (800) 227-0029 (U.S. and Canada only)
Shock Block SB6100 brochure PG_CSG@littelfuse.com
Shock Block SB6100 FAQ
Shock Block SB6100 video Shock Block Rental Units

+1 818 764 7585

Shock Block Rental Series for the
edavidian@littelfuse.com
Entertainment Industry

Shock Block portable rental series product information

Application and Field Support
Shock Block LB100 GFCI Lunchbox datasheet
Our experienced product and
Shock Block SB100B, SB250B and SB300A datasheet
application engineers will work with
you from design to installation to
determine the best solution for your
specific needs.

Contact a Littelfuse engineer directly:

Littelfuse.com/ContactUs

General Inquiries and Information

+1 773 628 1000

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 For more information, visit
Littelfuse.com/ShockBlock

Disclaimer Notice – Information furnished is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, users should independently evaluate the suitability of and test each product selected for
their own applications. Littelfuse products are not designed for, and may not be used in, all applications. Read complete Disclaimer Notice at www.littelfuse.com/product-disclaimer.

FORM PF805
© 2022 Littelfuse, Inc.
Rev: 031822